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Excellent program! Well organized, beautifully lead. I learned a great deal about the history and geology of Death Valley. The hikes led us into beautiful views, canyons, sand dunes. Visiting Scotty's castle was fun, interesting story there. Hikes can be tailored to meet specific group levels of fitness. Leaders were knowledgeable, considerate and helpful. This is one program not to be missed!

This program was wonderful. The guides were great and we got to see so much in 5 days that it was incredible. I strongly recommend this program to anyone who is curious to see the varied nature of Death Valley. You won't believe it!

Great program focused on the geology and then human history of Death Valley. The hikes are hard work, but the payoffs are worth it...amazing vistas, fascinating history, and clearly visible geological history in the rock. A great blend of legwork and learning.

Death Valley is more than a desert. The geologic makeup of the area is amazing! The landscape is like looking at the greatest artist's paintings. I could sit and contemplate life while being at Dante's View!

It was an excellent program. Death Valley is a fascinating place. The hikes were varied, interesting, and just the right distances for us. The accommodations were good. The food, including the salads for lunch, was good. The amount of free time was appropriate. The other participants were friendly, interesting people. We were very satisfied with the whole experience. We learned that the Manzanar National Historic Site is close by and wish that we had planned a visit there either before or after the program.

If you like hiking, if you like beautiful landscape, if you like adventure...join this program! It was the highlight of my year. Death Valley is nothing like I imagined, and it will be forever in my list of favorite trips.

This was our 1st Road Scholar trip. We will definitely do more ( already signed up for 2 more)! What I liked was seeing was such a variety of terrain each day. The hiking choices for each day let you decide how adventurous you wanted to be. No pressure to do more than you felt comfortable with. Saw bighorn sheep 3 times. Our main guide Jay was outstanding!! He went above and beyond to show us as much as possible.

A great variety of hikes, mixed in with some "touristy" things as well. Our guide was a retired Death Valley ranger who knew the Valley and its secrets extremely well. We saw things most people wouldn't even know about. While you need to be fit, the staff was very good about providing both challenging hikes and somewhat easier hikes, and you didn't feel pushed into one or the other.

My 1st Road Scholar trip and I am hooked. So fortunate we were booked into Furnace Creek Ranch for lodging and meals. Staff was great, excited and passionate to show us Death Valley. I can't imagine a better way to experience Death Valley without the knowledge that was given to us each day. The hikes led to amazing sights and views. Each morning and afternoon activity felt like I had gone to a completely different place. The highs and lows, salt and sand, creeks and volcanos, each one leaving a different impression on me. Having one staff member as a former NPS ranger certainly took us to things we would have never seen on our own. The mix of participants, the staff and the accommodations gives this trip a A+++ for me.

I would agree with all the previous reviews and add only that JJ and her entire crew went out of their way to see to our every need and to make the experience very enjoyable. The stories of our may guide were both entertaining and informative.

This is a winner. A great balance of physical activity (hiking with some rock scrambling) with education (history, botany, geology, and wildlife). Staff most accommodating. Instructor was unbelievable. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, charismatic.

While I agree with Virginia from the Nov 2013 trip that there is not as much hiking as some of the other moderately-challenging rated hiking trips, I believe it was correctly rated. I enjoyed the combination of sight-seeing as well as hiking and the many and varied hiking opportunities. Our main guide for this trip was a former NPS Ranger who was fabulous. He knew the park intimately and shared his passion for education. All the staff went out of their way for participants Lodging at Furnace Creek was excellent. Breakfast and dinners were excellent. Lunches were ok. Well organized. Recommended.

The entire experience was exhilarating. The group leader, JJ, organized and planned every detail so that we could relax and enjoy the trip. Our driver, Dominic, was always cheerful and courteous. The lectures were varied and interesting. On each hike we walked through geologic marvels at every turn. The beauty and uniqueness of Death Valley amazed everyone in our group.The hikes were as described, moderately challenging. I am glad that I chose Road Scholar to learn about this national treasure, Death Valley.

Exceeded all my expectations in every possible (and positive) way.
Death Valley is a life changing experience .. Road Scholar team was excellent , fellow travelers were awesome ... weather cooperated ... so all in all ..it doesn't get any better than that ... CHEERS !

I wanted to be challenged and Death Valley gave them to me. I jumped for joy, with our director J.J', at the end of the first trail. How wonderful. Went with out preconceived ideas about this beautiful Vally, the colors, plants, animals and differing terrain made each day amazing. Plan to return during the spring when the wild flowers bloom.

The beauty of Death Valley National Park, as viewed from a van, is incredible. With changing light, the colors and contrasts become even stronger. But then to hike in those colorful hills, in the eroded slot canyons, or along the crests of sand dune - that is when the close up sweat, beauty, quiet and sheer wonder of the site comes home.

Death Valley is a terrific place to hike and see life, water and desert you can not find anywhere else in the world. It is a gem if you want wilderness with geology and ecology that makes you appreciate our good earth.

Death Valley National Park is magnificent. The only fault I found with this trip is in the titled description. Having participated in 9 other Road Scholar hiking trips, this is not a hiking trip. It is a sightseeing/hiking trip – more emphasis on sightseeing than hiking.
I understand this trip has a different provider from previous years, and in my observation, the 3 primary staff members this year were not hikers. They were enthusiastic, friendly and sincere, but most of them had never hiked many of the trails listed in the itinerary. In my other hiking adventures with Road Scholar, the provider had guides who were experienced, knowledgeable of the area and were experts in very specific fields.
I think the itinerary covered all the highlights of the area and it was amazing to walk on the sand dunes and drive through some very scenic areas, but most of the time I felt I was on a tour bus and I did not think the trip was advertised as such. Staying inside the park was a plus and keeping the group size to 18 or fewer is essential.

The Death Valley Road Scholar trip was fabulous! Great guides, endlessly interesting landscape--not much choice in lodging or food, which is fine for this trip. This was on my wife's bucket list, but I sure am glad she dragged me along. She had to drag me away, too! I hope to return some day to do the "challenging" hiking week.

The Death Valley program was my 15th Elderhostel/Road Scholar trip since the mid 1990s. I thought the six leaders were exceptional. They were energetic, enthusiastic, flexible and very organized. They kept us on the move without being overbearing. They provided us with comprehensive materials prior to the program and during the program. For the final night, they put together a great slide show of photos helping us to relive some highlights. Our leaders, paid and volunteer, were a hard-working group of men and women. Above all, they exhibited kindness, courtesy, knowledge of the area, and respect for us and for each other. It was obvious that they all love Death Valley and through their good humored spirit helped all of us to appreciate the beauty, history, geology and diversity of an amazing place. This group could train others how to lead outdoor adventure groups.

This was a very good program and JJ and her team of 5
assistants provided great leadership. Lodging was basic motel room with fridge, and meals in a Dennys and
a local diner were adequate and the trail lunch was a
very good and large sandwich. Hikes were up to two a
day, and averaged about 3 miles and 600' elevation gain,
although few participants did the maximum hiking. The
large group of 27 spent about 3 hours a day in 3 crowded
vans which were a challenge to get in and out of. Potty
stops took a long time at one-hole park facilities.
Hiking poles, good boots with good grip, and carrying
1.5-2 liters of water was essential. Hiles were on sand dunes, rocky terrain, tricky ridges, and could involve some scrambling with pushing, pulling, and butt
slides. There were some serious hills to climb making this a very honest Level 5, although varying levels of
hiking ability were accomodated well. I would recommend this program to the serious hiker who would
enjoy desert excursions under somewhat harsh conditions.

This was my husband's and my 1st RS trip. Leaders were outstanding. Death Valley met our expectations in every way. Hotel and food were fine (no complaints). We would have preferred a smaller group. Collecting 27 participants and 6 leaders and squeezing them in 3 vans takes time.

This was my first Road Scholar program and I am now looking forward to many more. The staff for this program are wonderful, the hiking options accommodate different skill and comfort levels (including fear of heights and ledges!), and Death Valley is a fascinating and diverse national park!

Death Valley is unlike any other spot in the United States. Combine the unique hikes and the very competent staff of the Death Valley Natural History Association, and you end up with a wonderful adventure.
Larry Margasak

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